The Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) has called on all member companies exporting formulations to Zambia to comply with the country's new pre-shipment regulations aimed at curbing the import of counterfeit and substandard medicines.

This follows an official notification from the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) announcing the implementation of a mandatory requirement for pre-shipment document verification, physical inspection, quality control testing, and the issuance of a Clean Report of Inspection and Analysis (CRIA) for all pharmaceutical consignments being exported to Zambia.

This regulation, which will come into effect from October 1, 2025, is being implemented to curb the entry of substandard and falsified medicines into the Zambian market and applies to all pharmaceutical products exported from India.       

From this date forward, all shipments with a Bill of Lading must be accompanied by a CRIA for customs clearance at Zambian ports of entry.

Quntrol Laboratories Private Limited has been designated by ZAMRA as the authorised agency to carry out the verification, inspection, testing, and CRIA issuance in India.  

Exporters are requested to ensure strict compliance with this new requirement to avoid any clearance issues at the Zambian border.

“We request all member companies exporting formulations to Zambia to take note and act accordingly,” said Raja Bhanu, director general, Pharmexcil.